Anil Kumar

Kounis syndrome secondary to ibuprofen use.

Kounis syndrome is the coincidental occurrence of acute coronary syndromes with allergic or hypersensitivity reactions. Clinicians should be aware that various mediators of allergy can cause coronary spasm and even plaque rupture and thrombus formation, thereby causing a serious impact on the course, prognosis and management of the allergic reaction. We report a case of a 20 year old female who developed acute coronary syndrome after anaphylactic reaction to ibuprofen.

Prevalence of use of advance directives, health care proxy, legal guardian, and living will in 512 patients hospitalized in a cardiac care unit/intensive care unit in 2 community hospitals.

Introduction The prevalence of use of any advance directives was 26% in 112 patients hospitalized in a cardiac care unit (CCU)/intensive care unit (ICU) in an academic medical center. Material and methods We investigated in 2 community hospitals the prevalence of use of advance directives (AD), health care proxy (HCP), legal guardian (LG), and living will (LW) in 512 patients hospitalized in a CCU/ ICU approached for AD and HCP. Results The use of AD was 22%, of HCP was 19%, of LG was 16%, and of LW was 5%. Conclusions The use of AD was 22%, of HCP was 19%, of LG was 16%, and of LW was 5% in patients hospitalized in a CCU/ICU. Educational programs on use of AD and of HCP need to be part of cardiovascular training programs and of cardiovascular continuing medical education.